Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part Two)
Continuing on the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1–6 and book 2, ch. 1–5, 18–24. We finish up with enthymemes (rhetorical arguments), maxims, and signs. We then move to emotions, where we chiefly talk about anger: Is it always a matter of status injury, or is frustration equally (or more) foundational? Begin with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/07/06/ep247-1-aristotle-rhe...
53m Jul 13, 2020
53m
PEL Presents PMP#51: Pictures Telling Stories w/ Joseph Watson
Is it really true that "every picture tells a story"? For Joseph, a Las Vegas artist (http://josephwatsonart.com/) who illustrates Go, Go GRETA! (https://www.gogogreta.com/) , narrative is essential, but how does the story an artist has in mind actually convey to the viewer? He joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to tell art stories and touch on Guernica, Where the Wild Things Are, Dr. Seuss, Narnia,...
41m Jul 08, 2020
41m
Ep. 247: Aristotle on Rhetoric and Emotions (Part One)
On the Rhetoric (ca. 335 BCE) book 1, ch. 1-6 and book 2, ch. 1-5, 18-24. What role does persuasion play in philosophy? Aristotle (contra Plato) argues it can and should be used for good: in law courts, political debates, public speeches. He describes the arguments forms used in rhetoric ("enthymemes") and analyzes the emotions that an audience might have so that speakers know what points are ...
55m Jul 06, 2020
55m
PEL Presents NEM#125: Victor DeLorenzo (ex Violent Femmes) Starts with Drums
Victor started as a singer/songwriter, drummed with the Femmes for five albums in the '80s, and has since recorded six solo releases and five more with nine thirteen, plus other collaborations, jazz jamming, and work in the theater. We discuss "Invisible Shadows" from Tranceaphone (https://amzn.to/2YX6up2) (2020), "Carry Me" from Victor DeLorenzo (https://amzn.to/2DaqgFe) (2013), "Arco, Pizzic...
1hr 8m Jul 04, 2020
1hr 8m
REISSUE-PEL Ep 75: Lacan & Derrida Criticize Poe's "The Purloined Letter" (w/ New Intro)
Enjoy this normally paywalled episode from Apr. 2013 about Jacques Lacan’s “Seminar on ‘The Purloined Letter'” (1956) and Jacques Derrida’s “The Purveyor of Truth” (1975). How should philosophers approach literature? Lacan read Edgar Allen Poe’s story about a sleuth who outthinks a devious Minister as an illustration of his model of the psyche, and why we persist in self-destructive patterns. D...
2hr 11m Jul 03, 2020
2hr 11m
Pretty Much Pop #50: MJ's Last Dance w/ Seth Paskin
Brian, Erica, Mark, and Seth from The Partially Examined Life (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/) interrogate the 10-part ESPN documentary on Michael Jordan's Bulls' six championships. Was it worth ten hours? Does its time-jumping structure work? Is it really hagiography, or is the vision of ultra-competitiveness repulsive? Why are sports amenable to creating cultural icons? Does the doc's su...
52m Jul 01, 2020
52m
Ep. 246: Susan Sontag on Interpreting Art (Part Two)
Continuing on Sontag's essays “On Style” (1965) and "The Death of Tragedy” (1963). Mark, Wes, Seth and Dylan keep talking about the appropriate distance to retain (or not) to a work of art, which is supposed to be relevant to moral action in the world. We also spell out how this is relevant to our recent episodes on tragedy. Start with Part One (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/06/22/ep...
53m Jun 29, 2020
53m
Pretty Much Pop #49: Conspiracy Theories as Pop w/ Al Baker
Al works for Logically (https://www.logically.co.uk/) , a company that fights misinformation. He joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to try to discuss the appeal of conspiracy theories, whether their fandom is like other fandoms, the relation between pernicious and fun theories, and theories that end up true. We touch on echo chambers, the role of irony and humor in spreading these theories, how both...
50m Jun 23, 2020
50m
Ep. 246: Susan Sontag on Interpreting Art (Part One)
On Sontag's essays “Against Interpretation” (1964), “On Style” (1965), and "The Death of Tragedy” (1963). What is it to understand a work of art? Sontag objects to critics' need to decode art into its "meaning" or "content," divorcing it from how this content is embodied. She argues that the content vs. form distinction isn't tenable; that the style of a work is an essential part of experienci...
47m Jun 22, 2020
47m
PEL Presents NEM#124: Alev Lenz's Tracts of Blood and Sisterhood
Alev started in Germany with her metal band "Alev" in the early '00s and has released three atmospheric, idea-filled solo albums since 2009 plus several soundtracks and collaborations. We discuss "The Chair" (and at the end listen to "Cigarettes & Blow") from 3 (https://amzn.to/2V0eq6F) (2019), plus the title track from Two-Headed Girl (https://amzn.to/2zMDYgd) (2016), "Flowers of Love" from S...
1hr 6m Jun 19, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #48: The Arts in Reality TV w/ Skin Wars' Robin Slonina
Fine art and reality TV are typically rated our highest and lowest forms of entertainment, yet creative competition shows combine them. Robin Slonina (https://robinslonina.com/) , who was a judge on the body painting show Skin Wars (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_Wars) , helps Mark, Erica, and Brian figure out the degree to which that format lets the art shine through. We also touch on Wor...
51m Jun 16, 2020
51m
Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault, Sontag) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part Two)
We conclude with Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984) and add Susan Sontag's "On Style" (1965). After our guest's departure, we give some concluding remarks about her book Dressed: A Philosophy of Clothes (2020) and Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999). Start with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/06/08/ep245-1-fashion/)...
51m Jun 15, 2020
51m
Pretty Much Pop #47: Sitcom Premises: Genius, Bonkers and Otherwise
Sitcoms traditionally provide a cozy, relatable, changeless environment, but streaming and serialization have changed this. What are the limits on the format? Mark, Erica, and Brian consider After Life, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Community, the Parks & Rec reunion, the Space Force pilot, the stain of Chuck Lorre, and much more. Plus, which weird premises are real: a quiz! For more, visit prettymuchp...
43m Jun 09, 2020
43m
Ep. 245: Fashion (Derrida, Foucault) w/ Shahidha Bari (Part One)
On Jacques Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" (1999), Michel Foucault's "The Ethics of the Concern of the Self As A Practice of Freedom" (1984), and our guest's Dressed: A Philosophy of Clothes (https://amzn.to/377DLAv) (2020). Philosophy devalues appearances, but our changing dominant metaphysics (there is no "underneath" but rather a complex built out of appearance itself) should have...
54m Jun 08, 2020
54m
PEL Presents: NEM#123: Rick Kemp (Steeleye Span) Slows Down
Rick played bass on 15 albums with Steeleye Span between 1971 and 2016 and had released five solo albums since 1996. We discuss "Race Against Time" from Perfect Blue (https://amzn.to/3cygZTv) (2018) and two Steeleye tunes: "Cromwell's Skull" from Dodgy Bastards (https://amzn.to/2XCdwiA) (2016) and "Samain" from They Called Her Babylon (https://amzn.to/2My1Yq6) (2004). We conclude by listening ...
1hr 6m Jun 05, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #46: "Casual" Games with Diner Dash's Nick Fortugno
The famed game designer joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss fundamental questions about gaming and what makes a casual game. We touch on everything from crosswords to Super Meat Boy. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/prettymuchpop. This podcast is part of the Partially Examined Life (https://partial...
55m Jun 02, 2020
55m
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Part Two)
Continuing on Albert Camus's 1947 novel, covering the old functionary Grand, the criminal (or just paranoid?) Cottard, and more of our narrators Dr. Rieux and his doomed friend Tarrou, plus more on the overall message of the book and how it might relate to our current situation. Start with part one or get the unbroken Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/05/25/ep244-camus-cit...
1hr 5m Jun 01, 2020
1hr 5m
Pretty Much Pop #45: Film Riffing with MST3K's Mary Jo Pehl
Mary Jo was a writer/performer on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and has gone on to make jokes during movies for Rifftrax Presents and Cinematic Titanic. She joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about the joke-writing process, riffing styles, what kinds of films make for good riffing, the MST3K legacy, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content fo...
46m May 27, 2020
46m
Ep. 244: Camus on Strategies for Facing Plague (Part One)
On Albert Camus' existentialist novel The Plague. How shall we face adversity? Camus gives us colorful characters that embody various approaches. Yes, the plague is an extreme situation, but we're all dying all the time anyway, right? Join Mark, Wes, Dylan and Seth to tease out Camus' positions from this bleak yet colorful text. Don't wait for part two; get the unbroken Citizen Edition (https:/...
47m May 25, 2020
47m
NEM#122: Jack Hues (from Wang Chung) Plays Jazz and Prog
Jack fronted Wang Chung for five albums in the '80s, left the limelight to produce, and got a jazz combo going by 2000 which he's released five albums with, reformed Wang Chung, and only now is having a debut solo release, the double album Primitif (https://amzn.to/2yrpv8P) . We discuss "Whitstable Beach" from that album, "Class War and Sex War" by Jack Hues and the Quartet from A Thesis on th...
1hr 12m May 22, 2020
1hr 12m
Pretty Much Pop #44: Local News w/ Deion Broxton
The recently memified (https://twitter.com/DeionNBCMT/status/1242910540105576450) NBC Montana reporter joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss news as entertainment, local news consumption, its uses and abuses, reality vs. media portrayals of reporters, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.patreon.com/pretty...
42m May 19, 2020
42m
Ep. 243: Aristotle's "Poetics" on Art and Tragedy (Part Two)
Continuing on the Poetics from around 335 BCE, on the structure of plot (every element must be essential!), the moral status of the heroes, Homeric poetry, the difference between tragedy and history, and how Aristotle's formula may or may not apply to modern media. Begin with part one (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/05/11/ep243-1-aristotle-poetics/) or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edit...
55m May 18, 2020
55m
Pretty Much Pop #43: The Korean Wave w/ Suzie Oh
Parasite, K-Pop, and K-Dramas have reached the U.S. as part of Hallyu, an official Korean effort to expand cultural influence. Suzie Hyun-jung Oh joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to decode the zeitgeist in hopes of understanding films like Snowpiercer, A Train to Busan, The Burning, A Taxi Driver, etc. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episo...
40m May 12, 2020
40m
Ep. 243: Aristotle's "Poetics" on Art and Tragedy (Part One)
These notes from 335 BCE are still used in screenwriting classes. Aristotle presents a formula for what will move us, derived from Sophocles's tragedies. What is art? The text describes it as memesis (imitation), and tragedy imitates human action in a way that shows us what it is to be human. Aristotle has lots of advice about how to structure a plot optimized to our sensibilities. Join Mark, W...
51m May 11, 2020
51m
NEM#121: K.C. Clifford on Brokenness and Power
K.C. has created seven releases of confessional folk (sometimes gospel, sometimes country) since 2000. We discuss "No More Living Small" and listen to "You Couldn't Stay" from her 2020 self-titled album (https://amzn.to/3chjrOS) , then talk about "Broken Things" from Orchid (https://amzn.to/3fzScRt) (2010) and "Find My Way Home" from Teeth-Marks on My Tongue (https://amzn.to/3chTzSO) (2004). In...
1hr 4m May 08, 2020
1hr 4m
Pretty Much Pop #42: Star Trek Lives Long and Prospers (Intermittently)
In light of Star Trek: Picard, Brian, Erica, Mark, and Drew Jackson (https://twitter.com/APJacksonic) discuss our most philosophical sci-fi franchise. What makes a Trek story? How do you world-build over generations? How did Picard measure up? Plus Trek vs. Wars and step-children like The Orville and Galaxy Quest. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus conten...
56m May 06, 2020
56m
Ep. 242: Stanley Cavell on Tragedy via King Lear (Part Two)
Continuing on Cavell's essay "The Avoidance of Love: A Reading of King Lear" (1969), shifting away from Lear in particular to a more general discussion of tragedy and Cavell's psychological insights. Begin with Part One (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/27/ep242-1-cavell/) or get the ad-free, unbroken Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/26/ep242-stanley-cavell-ci...
45m May 04, 2020
45m
Pretty Much Pop #41: Made-for-TV Musicals w/ Craig Wedren
Why are we now seeing a resurgence of musical TV shows? Craig has created musicals for many TV shows (like Glow, Shrill, and Wet Hot American Summer) and joins Mark, Erica, and Brian due to his work on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. We talk about narrative excuses for breaking into song, musicals on TV vs. film vs. stage, musical episodes on non-musical shows, and more. Watch Craig's daily Sabb...
54m Apr 29, 2020
54m
Ep. 242: Stanley Cavell on Tragedy via King Lear (Part One)
On Cavell's essay "The Avoidance of Love: A Reading of King Lear" (1969). Can money buy you love? What is tragedy? With guest Erin O'Luanaigh (https://www.erinoluanaigh.com/) . Don't wait for part two; get the full Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/04/26/ep242-stanley-cavell-citizen/) now. Please support PEL! (http://partiallyexaminedlife.com/support)
44m Apr 27, 2020
44m
NEM#120: Steve Harley is Wiser and Less Hungry
Steve started fronting Cockney Rebel in the early '70s and has released a dozen albums of of narrative-driven, tuneful songs. We discuss "Compared with You (Your Eyes Don’t Seem to Age)" and listen to "Only You," his two originals from his new solo album Uncovered (https://amzn.to/2KvCZCL) (2020) then look back to "Faith & Virtue" from Stranger Comes to Town (https://amzn.to/3eRvsfp) (2010) and...
1hr 9m Apr 24, 2020
1hr 9m
Pretty Much Pop #40: #MeToo Depictions in TV and Film
Heavily watched media like Bombshell, The Morning Show, Unbelievable, and 13 Reasons Why attempt to cover sexual assault and harassment while still entertaining. Does that work? Erica, Mark, and Brian consider what makes for a sensitive as opposed to a sensationalized portrayal. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchpop.com/) . Hear bonus content for this episode at https://www.pa...
51m Apr 21, 2020
51m
Ep. 241: Political Philosophy and the Pandemic
How should we think politically about the current global crisis? Do extreme circumstances reveal truths of political philosophy or do they reinforce whatever it is we already believe? Mark, Wes, Seth, and Dylan talk about applying philosophical insights to real-life situations rife with unknowns, John Rawls' veil of ignorance and Adam Smith on our interconnectedness, utilitarianism, libertarian...
1hr 6m Apr 20, 2020
1hr 6m
Pretty Much Pop #39: TV and Other Plans in Subjunctive Stasis
A discussion of what to watch during lockdown is what happens when you're busy making plans about what to include in a hypothetical discussion of what to watch during lockdown. Join Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk Tiger King, Star Trek, Parks & Recreation, Devs, Zoey's, 13 Reasons Why, Ozark, Westworld, Larry David, endless tributes to the dead, anthology shows, unreleased pilots, and circus art...
37m Apr 14, 2020
37m
Ep. 240: David Lewis on Possible Worlds and Language Games (Part Two)
On "Scorekeeping in a Language Game" (1979) and "Truth in Fiction" (1978). Lewis's account of possible worlds can be applied to conversation: As we speak, each sentence adds to the "conversational score" (the set of assumptions that enable us to understand each other) while reducing the field of possible worlds that the picture we're painting together could potentially represent. What are the g...
1hr 10m Apr 13, 2020
1hr 10m
NEM#119: Chris A. Maxwell: The Power of What You Don't Fully Understand
Chris fronted Gunbunnies in the early '90s and was then a member of Skeleton Key, but he's best known for being half of the production team Elegant Too. Since 2014 he's released two solo albums. We discuss two songs from 2012's New Store No. 2 (https://amzn.to/34qF24h) , the title track and "Most of What I Know I Learned from Women." We then talk about Elegant Too's work with They Might Be Gian...
59m Apr 10, 2020
59m
Pretty Much Pop #38: Costuming w/ Whitney Anne Adams
How does clothing mesh with other elements to create a mood for a film? Costumer Whitney (https://www.whitneyadams.com/) (Happy Death Day, The Great Gatsby) joins Erica, Mark and Brian to discuss how clothes on screen relate to clothes in life, historic vs. modern vs. genre, when costumes get distracting, her current TV and film costuming picks, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http...
54m Apr 08, 2020
54m
Ep. 240: David Lewis on Possible Worlds and Language Games (Part One)
On Ch. 4 of Lewis's book Counterfactuals (https://amzn.to/2V7Gfcw) (1973) and the essays “Scorekeeping in a Language Game” (1979) and “Truth in Fiction” (1978). What makes a sentence about possibility true? Lewis things that we need possible worlds that really exist in order to make sense of our modal intuitions. He uses this possible world talk to make sense of conversations and the worlds cre...
54m Apr 06, 2020
54m
Pretty Much Pop #37: Everything is LEGO
Why has a children's toy become a brand attached to virtually every media type, partnering with the most ubiquitous franchises, and serving as a pastime for many adult hobbyists who will gut you if you call LEGO a "children's toy." AFOL Brian Hirt talks with co-hosts Erica Spyres and Mark Linsenmayer about creative play vs. following the printed directions, building purists vs. anthropomorphize...
47m Apr 01, 2020
47m
Ep. 239: Montesquieu Invents Political Science (Part Two)
Continuing on The Spirit of the Laws (1748) by Charles Louis de Secondat, aka Baron de Montesquieu. Mark, Wes, Dylan, and Seth talk more about the "motive force" behind each type of government and the separation of powers. Begin with part 1 (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/03/23/ep239-1-montesquieu/) or get the full, ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partiallyexaminedlife.com/2020/03/23/e...
52m Mar 30, 2020
52m
NEM#118: Matt Wilson (Trip Shakespeare) Is Still a Writer
Matt released 4 albums and got on a major label with Trip Shakespeare in the late '80s, released a solo album in '98, ran bands with fellow Tripper John Munson for three albums over many subsequent years, ad has now released his first album as Matt Wilson & His Orchestra, When I Was a Writer (https://amzn.to/39peiC7) . We discuss "Decent Guy" and listen to the title track from that album and lo...
1hr 5m Mar 27, 2020
1hr 5m
Pretty Much Pop #36: Criticism w/ Noah Berlatsky
Do we need professional critics regulating our entertainment intake? Noah writes for The Washington Post, NBC News, The Guardian, Slate, Vox, The Atlantic, etc., and he now joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk about the function of criticism, criticism as art, and the joy of negativity. We talk 1917, Midsommar, Marvel vs. Scorsese, Yesterday, Bob Dylan, Twilight, and more. For more, visit prett...
44m Mar 25, 2020
44m
Ep. 239: Montesquieu Invents Political Science (Part One)
On The Spirit of the Laws (1748) by Charles Louis de Secondat, aka Baron de Montesquieu. What keeps a society functioning? Montesquieu, though of course not the first political philosopher, was perhaps the first to systematically explore correlations between characteristics of a government, its people, its climate, dominant industries, religion, and other factors. Some of his ideas directly inf...
45m Mar 23, 2020
45m
Pretty Much Pop #35: Video Game Storytelling w/ Don Marshall
Do you play video games for the plot? Mark, Erica, and Brian are joined by former video game professional (https://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,110025/) (current TV development exec (https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-e-marshall-5028b53/) ) Donald E. Marshall to talk through types of video game narrative, ways of weaving story into a game, balancing gameplay and storytelli...
51m Mar 17, 2020
51m
Ep. 238: Lingering Questions
Mark, Wes, Dylan, and Seth summarize thoughts about our recent series on social construction, gender and sex, and Judith Butler's notion of "grievable lives." Should we stop covering so much contemporary work and/or political topics? End song: "The Size of Luv" by Mark Lint from Mark Lint's Dry Folk (https://marklint.bandcamp.com/) (2018). Sponsor: Get your first month of hair loss prevention m...
1hr 16m Mar 16, 2020
1hr 16m
NEM#117: Chris McQueen (FORQ, Snarky Puppy): Like Fusion, But Cool
Chris has played guitar for Snarky Puppy since it started in 2004, has led rock bands and explored acoustic guitar duets. We discuss "M-Theory" by FORQ from Four (https://amzn.to/3aX61Xf) (2019), the title track to Western Theatre (https://amzn.to/38Jmywd) by Matt Read and Chris McQueen (2019), and "Coven" by Snarky Puppy from Immigrance (https://amzn.to/2w5zi2X) (2019), and end with "Strut" by...
1hr 28m Mar 13, 2020
1hr 28m
Ep. 237: Walter Benjamin Analyzes Violence (Part Two)
Continuing on Benjamin's "Critique of Violence" (1921). Mark, Wes, and Seth keep trying to figure out this difficult essay. Is Benjamin really advocating a workers' revolution to end the state, or just reflecting on a hypothetical to explore the limits of the concept of violence? According to Judith Butler's interpretation of the essay, the takeaway is the alternative to motivation through forc...
47m Mar 09, 2020
47m
Pretty Much Pop #34: Escape Rooms and Other Puzzlers w/ Adal Rifai
You know "the comic" and "the tragic," but what kind of entertainment is "the puzzling?" Improviser/podcaster Adal Rifai (https://www.ioimprov.com/performers/adal-rifai/) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to discuss escape rooms, riddles and puns, group problem solving, puzzles in films and video games, lateral vs. algorithmic thinking, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com (http://prettymuchp...
51m Mar 04, 2020
51m
Ep. 237: Walter Benjamin Analyzes Violence (Part One)
On "Critique of Violence" (1921). What is violence? Benjamin gives us a taxonomy: law-creating, law-preserving, mythological, and divine. Then he deconstructs his own distinctions to demonstrate that all state power is rotten through its being founded on and continually re-established by violence or the threat of it. Don't wait for part two. Get the full ad-free Citizen Edition (https://partial...
44m Mar 02, 2020
44m
NEM#116: hackedepicciotto: Nomadic Cinematographers
Einstürzende Neubauten's Alexander Hacke and artist/singer Danielle de Picciotto have released seven albums of experimental music together since 2011, the last four as hackedepicciotto. We discuss "The Banishing" and "Third From the Sun" from The Current (https://amzn.to/2VtN0qQ) (2019) and "Propehcy" from Menetekel (https://amzn.to/3abV6Z7) (2017), plus intro music is "Let There Be Joy" from J...
1hr 19m Feb 28, 2020
1hr 19m
Pretty Much Pop #33: The Heroine's Journey w/ Vi Burlew
How has Joseph Campbell's "hero's journey" as famously leveraged for Star Wars evolved with more female action heroes in film? Vi Burlew joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to talk not only about Rey, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Black Widow, and Mulan, but also bring in Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, Jane Eyre, Working Girl, and of course Road House. For more, visit...
50m Feb 27, 2020
50m